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Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Safety

School of Undergraduate Studies

Homeland Security specialization

Pursue a homeland security career and help protect your country's citizens, lands, and property. This specialization focuses on managing public security in conjunction with federal resources. The curriculum includes course work on such topics as domestic and international terrorism; multijurisdictional coordination; and diplomatic, technological, and intelligence approaches to national security. A capstone project provides an opportunity to apply and demonstrate your leadership skills in the growing field of homeland security. People who choose this specialization may wish to pursue career advancement or deeper expertise in federal, state, or local security/enforcement agencies, or to transition from the military into a civilian homeland security career.

Concentration option: As part of this specialization, you can use your electives to earn a concentration in Security Management for no additional time or money. Contact an enrollment counselor for details.

 

The National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have designated Capella University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE).

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Total Program: 180 quarter credits
Up to 132 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Admission Requirements Icon indicating PDF
Next Start Date: March 5, 2012
1000-2000 Level Credit: $275
3000-4000 Level Credit: $345

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General Education Requirements

To complete your bachelor's degree, you will need 45 quarter credits in general education subject areas with a minimum of 6 quarter credits from each category. We offer general education courses in communication, humanities, natural science and mathematics, and social science.

Residents of Arkansas must complete Arkansas general education requirements.


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Gain more value from your degree

Expand your educational and career opportunities by choosing one of Capella's degree enrichment options.

  • Tuition discount grows as you learn

    Capella supports your long-term educational goals with a bachelor’s-to-master’s tuition discount program. It could mean up to a 45% discount on tuition for your master’s degree courses.

    When you graduate from Capella with your bachelor’s degree and enroll in any Capella master’s degree, your total discount percentage can be applied to each master’s level course you take.

  • Earn graduate credits while completing your bachelor's degree

    With Capella's Combined Bachelor's/Master's options, you could start earning master's-level credit during your bachelor's program. You may be able to save thousands over the cost of pursuing each degree separately and reduce your time to master's degree completion by up to two quarters. Speak to an enrollment counselor about possible financial aid implications of choosing a Combined Bachelor's/Master's option.

    To be eligible:
    • Enroll in an eligible Capella bachelor's program under current admission requirements.
    • After you have completed 100 quarter credits of bachelor's-level course work and have earned a 3.0 GPA, you may enroll in one of the Combined Bachelor's/Master's options.
    • Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to remain in the combined option.
    Combined Bachelor's/Master's options available for this specialization:
    • BS to MPA
    • BS to MS in Public Safety
  • Add a concentration to gain deeper expertise

    Delve more deeply into a specific knowledge area by earning a concentration that will be included on your transcript and can enhance your career opportunities. If you have elective courses in your degree program, you may be able to use them to fulfill both your degree and concentration requirements at the same time. However, completing a concentration may extend your total credits beyond the requirements of your degree.

    Concentrations available as part of this specialization include:
    • Finance
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
  • Expand your career options with additional specializations

    Increase your knowledge and career options by earning multiple specializations as part of your bachelor's or master's degree program at Capella. If you have elective courses in your program, you may be able to use them toward earning another specialization. However, completing additional specializations may extend your total credits beyond the requirements of your degree.

MAT2050 - Statistical Literacy is required for Homeland Security specialization.

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • PS3004 - Communication Strategies for the Public Safety Professional - 6 quarter credits
  • PS3100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • PS3200 - Introduction to Emergency Management
  • PS3300 - Principles of Security Management
  • PS3400 - Introduction to Homeland Security
  • PS3500 - Applied Public Safety Theory
  • PS3600 - Principles of Public Safety Investigation
  • PS3700 - Justice, Crime, and Ethics
  • PS3800 - Applied Public Safety Research Methods
  • PS3900 - History of Violence in the U.S. Society
  • PS3950 - Introductory Public Safety Statistical Research* - 6 quarter credits

Specialization Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • PS4310 - Homeland Security in the 21st Century*
  • PS4320 - Homeland Security and Multijurisdictional Coordination
  • PS4325 - Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  • PS4330 - Leadership in Homeland Security
  • PS4340 - Technology and Homeland Security
  • PS4350 - Government, Media, and Civil Liberties
  • PS4360 - Domestic and International Terrorism
  • PS4365 - World Conflict*
  • PS4370 - Diplomatic Approaches to National Security
  • PS4380 - Intelligence Role in Homeland Security
  • PS4390 - Multijurisdictional Approaches to Investigations

Elective Courses

  • Choose 37 quarter credits of additional undergraduate courses.
  • Recommended elective courses:
  • PS2100 - Introduction to Corrections
  • PS2200 - Criminal Investigation
  • PS2300 - Introduction to Juvenile Justice
  • PS2400 - Introduction to Criminal Law

Capstone Course (to be taken during learner's final quarter)

  • PS4990 - Public Safety Senior Capstone Project - 6 quarter credits
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

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Along with the Homeland Security specialization, we offer specializations in Criminal Justice and Emergency Management in our BS in Public Safety Program.


To deepen your understanding of the field even further, we offer MS specializations in Public Safety Leadership, Criminal Justice and Emergency Management. You can also earn two complementary degrees – a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and MS in Public Safety – in less time and at less cost than pursuing the two degrees separately with our MS and MPA Joint Degree program.





Public Safety (Homeland Security)

February 5, 2011Eugene This is an awesome field. I can't wait to start working on my BA in May!!!

Homeland Security -- Age Requirements

October 30, 2011Arnold Homeland Security -- Age Requirement Before I can possibly make a commitment and expense in pursuing a B.S. degree in Public Safety, I need to know exactly if there is a maximum age requirement in applying to work in this exciting field? Please help with an factual answer! Thank you!

Homeland Security - Age Requirements

November 7, 2011Colin Hello, Arnold! My name is Colin and I am an Enrollment Counselor here at Capella University. You bring up a great question in terms of age requirements and the field of Homeland Security. As you may know, a degree in Homeland Security can lead to numerous positions and/or career fields, particularly at the state and federal level. Border patrol agent, Import specialist, Intelligence analyst, Security specialist, U.S. marshal, and Criminal investigator are a few of the many examples of potential career paths that can be obtained with a bachelor’s degree. However, each specific agency (employer) will have their own age requirements depending on the chosen field. For example, to become a Border patrol agent, applicants need to be below the age of 37, and to become a U.S. Marshal, applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 36. We encourage and help in our applicant’s research for these types of questions before enrolling them in a program. Colin
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Image of enrollment counselor from the team that specializes in Capella's human services degree programs

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